Chapter 6: Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Seated within the grand tent of the army, Lord Wang Bo, the master of worldly affairs, dispatched soldiers time and again to the front lines to inquire about the battle’s progress, only to receive news of two repulses. He had previously learned that the elite troops of Zhangqiu had all been summoned to Liaodong, which gave him confidence to launch a swift, overnight assault from afar. Yet, with two consecutive failures, his plan had crumbled; his face darkened, and in his anger, he smashed his wine cup upon the ground.

Beside him sat a scholar, one versed somewhat in the art of war, who summoned his courage to advise, “We marched nearly a hundred miles from Zouping, and upon arriving at Zhangqiu, our men and horses are exhausted and hungry. We should not have attacked the city tonight. The ancients have spoken: ‘A weary army is sure to fail.’ Our setback tonight is proof enough.”

With a long sigh, Lord Wang Bo was unwilling to yield. “If we follow your advice, would you have us wait until they call in reinforcements, and then attack when we are beset from both sides?”

The scholar replied, “Speed is the soul of warfare. Our provisions are scarce; we cannot afford a protracted siege. We must take Zhangqiu soon, without doubt. Their reinforcements, are they not led by Zhang Xuduo of Qi Prefecture? He is brave but lacks strategy and is hardly a threat.”

Lord Wang Bo, sensing the scholar’s familiarity with Zhang Xuduo, asked, “What clever plan do you propose? Let us hear it.”

The scholar, pleased that his words were valued, pointed west and said with some swagger, “Qi Prefecture lies directly west of Zhangqiu. Zhang Xuduo will surely enter the city through the western gate. Scouts have just reported that a small group of government troops fled westward from the city—presumably to seek aid. If we lay an ambush along the road to the western gate, when Zhang Xuduo arrives, he’ll be caught like fish in a barrel.”

Lord Wang Bo was delighted and praised the idea. He immediately ordered the withdrawal of the attacking troops for a brief rest, planning to resume the assault at dawn. He also resolved to station an ambush near the western gate.

Li Dong and the county constable had stood guard atop the city walls for a long while. Seeing the enemy gradually retreat, they arranged for the government troops to rotate shifts, then returned together to the county office.

Lu Li’er, anxious through the night, dared not sleep, fearing Li Dong might fail to hold the gates. Should the enemy break through, there would be no chance to escape. When Li Dong entered, he saw only Lu Li’er and not his father, Li Hun. He asked where his father had gone.

Lu Li’er feigned, “He’s gone home to rest. Why are there bloodstains on the constable? Was he wounded?”

The constable replied, “These minor wounds don’t affect the greater cause. I am still fit for battle.”

Li Dong’s face was smeared with grime, though he remained unhurt.

Lu Li’er praised the two men, ordering a midnight meal with two dishes and a jar of fine wine to calm their nerves.

In the Sui dynasty, tables and chairs were not yet common; host and guest both sat cross-legged or knelt upon mats. After long hours, one’s back and legs grew numb and sore. Li Dong was unused to such customs, enduring them only by pinching his nose and bearing it.

Lu Li’er raised a cup of wine and toasted, “Let this cup celebrate our triumphant beginning, and that Zhangqiu has been kept safe from breach!”

“Shameless!” Li Dong cursed inwardly. He had risked his life at the front, narrowly escaping death by stray arrows; even the constable, for all his pus-filled wounds, was slashed by the enemy. Lu Li’er had hidden within the county office, never crossing the threshold. What business had he to claim any credit for repelling the enemy? He shamelessly included himself in “our” victory, attempting to plaster military honors upon his own face—a skin thicker than the city walls, impervious to three thrusts, and only a faint mark after ten arrows.

The constable, an old hand in official circles, smiled calmly, “The magistrate showed great courage in employing men and directing them aptly; thus we prevailed at the front lines.”

Lu Li’er, greatly pleased, clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

The constable hurried to fill three cups, saying, “Just now, Li Dong mentioned leading troops out to lay an ambush. But how should the ambush be set?”

Setting his cup aside, Li Dong pondered. Defending the county, safeguarding the people, was paramount; now was not the time to vie for credit. He said, “Twenty li from the city lies White Cloud Lake, its reeds are tall and dense—perfect for concealing a force.”

White Cloud Lake lay north of the Yellow River, its fields crisscrossed like a net, every household raising fish and ducks—a prosperous little town. The lake was northwest of the city, yet some distance from Lord Wang Bo’s camp in the northeast, which puzzled both Lu Li’er and the constable.

Li Dong explained, “The enemy has withdrawn for now, but tomorrow a fiercer battle will surely come. I must prepare for both possibilities. If no reinforcements arrive, the city is in grave danger. Before dawn, we’ll quietly open the gates and move to a concealed spot, avoiding Lord Wang Bo’s notice. When he attacks the city, he’ll never expect a surprise force to strike from behind, which will throw his ranks into chaos. Then, constable, seize the chance to lead troops out—by joining forces inside and out, we’ll surely rout the enemy.”

The constable was overjoyed, for Li Dong’s plan matched his own earlier analysis with Lu Li’er. He asked, “The city’s government troops are already few—if you take some with you, won’t defending the city become even harder?”

Li Dong replied, “That’s not the way to see it. Even if I stay, our defenders are fewer than ten thousand, while the enemy has a hundred thousand men. To fight one against ten, exhaustion is inevitable; how can we hold out? Should reinforcements not arrive, the city will fall, and we’ll be prisoners.”

“To lead a portion of the defenders out for ambush is a risky move, but it’s a sound strategy. Warfare is always a matter of life and death balanced on a knife’s edge—without surprise, there can be no victory.” Lu Li’er, anxious that Li Dong might discover his father was missing, urged him strongly.

The constable wished to say more, but Li Dong waved him off. “I have my own means to force Lord Wang Bo’s retreat. Put your worries to rest.”

Li Dong’s knees ached from kneeling, and he wished to end the meal quickly. He needed to lead troops out for the ambush; the defense of Zhangqiu was crucial and must be arranged so that Lord Wang Bo could not breach the city quickly—otherwise, there would be no place for him to return to.

He said to the constable, “After dawn, recruit more townsfolk to defend the city. Hold until the hour of Si—I will return then. By that time, the enemy’s rear will be in chaos, and they will retreat. Lead troops in pursuit, or else I’ll be left unsupported, and the outcome may be dire.”

The constable was stunned for a long while, thinking: the enemy has a hundred thousand men, and to lead less than ten thousand inexperienced townsfolk in pursuit is no different from seeking death. Yet, before Magistrate Lu Li’er, he dared not voice such cowardly thoughts and could only nod in assent, barely daring to reply.

Rising from the floor, Li Dong rubbed his waist and rearranged his crooked hairpin. He noticed Lu Li’er and the county deputy secretly massaging their waists as well, guessing they too were uncomfortable.

The county deputy, standing nearby, thought Li Dong was about to slap his wounds, and jumped back in alarm, casting a cold glance. But Li Dong merely adjusted his headpiece, causing the deputy to blush in shame, realizing his caution had been excessive.

Before leaving, Li Dong repeatedly reminded them: when the enemy’s rear falls into chaos, they must lead troops out of the city and pursue without letup. Otherwise, if the enemy escapes, Lord Wang Bo will retain the chance to counterattack, and Zhangqiu will remain endangered.

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